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/47 



Whr for the Union. 



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By HON. JOHN C. LINEHAN. 



Read before W. I. Brown Post G. A. R., May 30, iJ 



Republican Press Association, 22 North Main Street. 
1889. 






zm 



PENACOOK IN THE WAR FOR THE UNION. 



At a meeting of the Post, in Octo- 
ber, 1888, I was requested to write a 
paper on the men who went from 
Penacoolf, — or, as it was known in 
1861, Fisherville,— to the War of the 
Rebellion, and who lost their lives in 
battle, or from the effects of wounds 
or disease. 

The object of the Post in making 
this I'equest was two-fold, — (1) to pre- 
serve from oblivion the memory of 
those whose loss brought honor and 
mourning to our community, and (2) 
to close the observance of Memorial 
Day in a manner befitting the sacred- 
ness of such an occasion. 

This could not help being a sad duty 
for me, as it recalled to remembrance 
the features of many with whom I was 
associated in the school-room, mill, 
or shop ; but it was also a pleasure, in 
a certain sense, as I was thus enabled 
to pay this tribute to their patriotism. 

When the news of the attack on 
Sumter, in April, 1861, reached Pen- 
acook, quickly followed by the attack 
in Baltimore of the secession mob on 
the 6th Massachusetts, the feeling in 
our village was similar to that in all 
manufacturing communities. The 
most intense loyalty to the Union 
manifested itself, first, in the hanging 
out of the stars and stripes, and 
again, when the government called for 
troops, in being among the first to 
furnish volunteers. 

At that time the Washington House 
was kept by Major J. S. Durgin. He 
had two sons at work in Boston. The 



youngest, Hiram, was well known to 
the old residents as a stout, good- 
natured boy, full of life, and a great 
lover of the sports common in those 
days, especially the old-fashioned 
game of base-ball as it was played 
then. He enlisted when the first 
three-months regiment was organiz- 
ed, but with his brother Abner was 
transferred to the company command- 
ed by Capt. Leonard Drown, in the 
second three years regiment. In this 
command he served up to the second 
Bull Run, fought in July, 1862 ; and 
here, not far from where he first met 
the enemy on the same field but one 
year before, he met a soldier's death, 
falling with a sergeant's stripes on his 
arm, and lies buried in an unknown 
grave. His company commander, 
Captain Leonard Drown, was one of 
the best known men in Penacook for 
ten years before the war began. He 
was foreman of the Pioneer Fire 
Company for some years — a man of 
striking appearance, and one of the 
best line officers in a regiment second 
to none in the service. I saw him 
last at Bladensburgh, Md., in Octo- 
ber, 1861, during a visit made to his 
quarters by some of the Third New 
Hampshire, to which I was attached. 
At the severely contested battle of 
Williamsburgh, Va., during the for- 
ward movement of McClellan's army 
in March, 1862, he fell at the head of 
his company, shot through the head. 
He was the first commissioned officer 
from New Hampshire killed in that 



Penacook in the War. 



war. His remains rest in our ceme- 
tery, and bis grave was decorated to- 
day by the loving iiands of comrades, 
many of whom never knew him, but 
closely connected by ties stronger than 
blood. He left a widow, one son, 
and two daughters. The son died ; 
his widow and older daughter reside in 
Boston ; the other daughter is married 
to Mr. B. F. Drake, of Lake Village. 

John Muzzey was an employe at 
the Axle works — a young man of a 
quiet, retiring disposition, and a rela- 
tive, I think a brother, of those of the 
same name in the village. He was a 
recruit for the Second regiment, and 
was killed at the first Bull Run, 
where his ashes, like those of his com- 
rade Hiram Durgin, repose in an un- 
known grave. 

Stephen Cooney was the youngest 
son of the widow Cooney, who died 
about three years ago. When only 
seventeen years old he enlisted in the 
first three-months regiment, and on 
his discharge reeulisted in the third N. 
H. Volunteers for three years. With 
that regiment he served up to Febru- 
ary, 1864, when he was severely 
wounded at Drury's Bluff, Va., dying 
shortly afterwards. He is buried in 
the National Cemetery at Hampton, 
Va. He was a brave soldier. He re- 
ceived a painful wound in the first 
engagement in which his regiment 
participated, at Secessionville, on 
James Island, June 16, 1862. He 
was born in Ireland. 

George Damon was a spinner in 
Harris's Woollen Mill — a bright, 
genial young man, and a general fa- 
vorite. He was one of the best 
looking and neatest dressed men 
in the village. He enlisted in com- 
pany B, Second regiment New 



Hampshire Volunteers, and met his 
death at the battle of Fair Oaks, in 
June, 1862. Like so many others, he 
lies in an unknown grave. He left 
no relatives here to my knowledge, 
being unmarried. 

Francis Keenan was a brother of 
Andrew Keenan, and for some years 
before the war was in the employ of 
the Rolfe Brothers. He enlisted in 
Captain Sturtevant's company of the 
Fifth N. H., and was severely wound- 
ed at the battle of Fair Oaks, dying 
the same night. Like the others 
mentioned, his last resting-place is 
unknown. He was a brave soldier, 
a good type of his race, witty and 
energetic. He was a native of Ire- 
land, and came here about five years 
before the war. He was unmarried. 

Lucius Feeny was also an employe 
of the Rolfe Brothers, and enlisted in 
the same company as Keenan in the 
Fifth N. H. He met his death at 
Gettysburg, where he was killed by a 
solid shot, in July, 1863. His remains 
are interred in the New Hampshire 
lot in the National Cemetery on that 
renowned battlefield, but marked 
unknown. The identity of most of 
the men killed in that engagement was 
lost, no mark to designate who they 
were being found, — simply the letters 
N. H. on their caps, or their position 
in line where they fell. He left a 
widow, sister of Mr. Thomas Igo, a 
former resident of Penacook, and two 
children. One of the latter. Rev. G. 
H. Feeny, is a Catholic clergyman in 
Walpole, N. H. ; the other, a daugh- 
ter, is married and lives in Florida. 
He was also a native of Ireland. 

Curtis Flanders was a brother of 
Mr. Winthrop Flanders. He was one 
of the best known men in the village 



Penacook in the War. 



in his day, of an easy, jovial disposi- 
tion, with not an enemy in the world. 
He served in the first three-months 
regiment, afterwards reenlisted in the 
Sixth N. H., and was killed by a solid 
shot at Camden, N. C, the first to 
meet a violent death in his regiment, 
in the spring of 1862. He was un- 
married, and quite a young man. 

Joseph Farrand was a brother of 
Robert Farrand, our well known blind 
comrade. He was an operative in the 
Penacook Mill when the war broke 
out, and enlisted with his brother 
Robert in Captain Durgin's company 
of the Seventh N. H. He was killed 
at Olustee, Florida, in the spring of 
1864, and in the same engagement 
his brother received the wound that 
rendered him sightless forever. Ed- 
mund, another brother, enlisted in 
the third N. H., and died from the 
effect of his service shortly after his 
discharge. His body rests in Wood- 
lawn. The family came here from 
England. 

Alexander L. Stevens was an em- 
ploye of the Axle works, I believe, 
and was orderly-sergeant of Captain 
Durgin's company of the Seventh N. 
H. He entered Wagner in that awful 
charge where his gallant Colonel met 
his death, and was never seen after- 
wards. No relatives here. 

Sergeant Eben Daggett came here 
from Attleboro', Mass. He enlisted 
in Captain Durgin's company, and 
like sergeant Stevens was killed in 
the terrible charge on Wagner. He 
was a brother of the late Mrs. David 
A. Brown, and a fine type of the New 
England soldier. God-fearing and 
brave. I saw him at Hilton Head in 
July, 1862, and there is no question, if 
his life had been spared, but what his 



abilities would have secured him high 
rank. 

Johnnie Clancy was a little doffer 
in the Penacook Mill. He was the son 
of a Mrs. Clancy, well known to some 
of our oldest residents. He enlisted 
in Captain Durgin's company of the 
Seventh, went into that fatal charge 
on Wagner, and of him the same 
story can be told. He was never seen 
again. He was a bright-faced boy, 
with laughing eyes, and was beloved 
by all his associates, who grieved over 
his early death, for he was hardly 17 
years old. 

Patrick Clancy, John's brother, two 
years younger, enlisted in the Ninth 
N. H., but was taken sick, and died in 
the hospital in New York city. They 
were their mother's only sons, and a 
desolate home was the consequence. 

Richard Nolan was also an opera- 
tive in the Penacook Mill, of about 
the same age as John Clancy, and a 
half brother to Mrs. James Kelly. He 
enlisted in Captain Durgin's company 
in the fall of 1861, and like a hero 
met his fate at Wagner where his 
laughing face disappeared forever. 

Captain Henry H. Ayer recruited a 
part of the men in Captain Plymp- 
ton's company E of the Third N. H. 
He was appointed First Lieutenant, 
and promoted to Captain. He had 
the reputation of being one of the 
bravest men in that gallant regiment, 
as he was one of the most daring. 
He was severely wounded on Morris 
Island during the siege of Charleston, 
but recovered, and returning to his 
command was killed at Drury's Bluff 
in 1864. His body was brought to 
Penacook, and his ashes rest in Wood- 
lawn cemetery. A married daughter 
survives him, in Somerville, Mass. 



Pcnacook in the War. 



He was a man quick and energetic, 
but genial and happy in his disposi- 
tion. He was well known to many 
of us who served with hira in the 
Third. 

Lieut. Charles H. Emery was a 
brother of Mrs. Timothy C. Rolfe, an 
employ^ of the Rolfe Brothers, and 
well known in Penacook. He enlist- 
ed in the Twelfth N. H. in the sum- 
mer of 18G2, and was severely wound- 
ed at Cold Harbor, dying of his 
wounds shortly after. His body lies 
in our cemetery. He was a man of a 
gentle, retiring nature, and greatly 
esteemed by all who knew him. He 
left a widow who resides in Canter- 
bury. 

William Haley, one of the first to 
enlist in Captain Drovvn's company of 
the Second N. H., was in the employ 
of the Rolfe Brothers when the war 
broke out. He served with his com- 
pany and regiment up to March, 1863, 
when he returned with the regiment 
on furlough, and, while staying here 
on a visit with his uncle, died sudden- 
ly of heart disease, and was buried 
in Woodlawn cemetery. He was a 
native of Ireland, and for some years 
before coming to this country was a 
member of the celebrated Dublin 
police force. No relatives of his re- 
side here now. Mrs. Luke Garvey, a 
former resident of Penacook, widow 
of a soldier of the Fifth N. H., who 
was killed at Mine Run, Va., in 
1864, was his sister. She now lives 
in Lowell, Mass., with her family. 

Thomas Haley was a weaver in the 
Penacook Mill for some years before 
the war, and a brother of William 
Haley. He enlisted in Captain Dur- 
giu's company of the Seventh N. H., 
which was mainly made up of Pena- 



cook men, or of those recruited in its 
immediate vicinity. He participated 
in the battles in which his regiment 
was engaged during the siege of 
Charleston, and was one of the few 
who came out of the charge on Wag- 
ner unhurt, only to meet his fate at 
Olustee, where he was killed beside 
his former room-mate in the mill, 
Joseph Farraud. His widow and two 
daughters resided here until 1879, 
when they removed to Manchester, 
where they still live. A little son of 
his was drowned in the canal back of 
the store of W. H. Bell, in the sum- 
mer of 1864. Like so many of his 
comrades, his last resting-place is un- 
known. He was born in Ireland. I 
was lately told by comrade George 
W. Abbott that just as the recall was 
sounded and the brigade ordered to 
fall back, he heard his name called, 
and looking back towards the direc- 
tion of the voice, saw poor Haley half 
lying half sitting at the base of a 
tree. A piece of shell had struck him 
in the middle, literally disembowelling 
him, and presenting a most horrifying 
spectacle. In piteous tones he beg- 
ged for a drink of water. Comrade 
Abbott, with a bullet in his shoulder, 
and at the risk of capture, as the regi- 
ment was rapidly disappearing, stoop- 
ed and gave him all there was in his 
canteen. He drank every drop ; 
whereupon Abbott said, — "Tom, I 
will try and fill my canteen and leave 
it with you." " It is no use, George," 
said Haley, " you will only be made 
a prisoner, and it will do me no good, 
as an hour will finish me. God bless 
you !" — and so they parted forever. 

Hubert McEvilly was an employe 
of H. II. & J. S. Brown, and a resi- 
dent of Penacook since 1853. He was 



Penacook in the War. 



the son of a widow who lived for a 
good many years in the house now 
occupied by Cornelius O'Brien, near 
the Axle works. While visiting 
friends in the Green Mountain state 
in the spring of 1862, he enlisted in 
the Tenth Vermont. He was severely 
wounded at the battle of the Wilder- 
ness, in 1864, being shot through the 
breast, the ball barely grazing his 
heart. He was home on furlough the 
greater part of the fall and winter of 
1864, and was offered his discharge 
but would not accept it. He return- 
ed to his regiment, and at the battle 
of Five Forks, five days after his time 
was out, he was shot dead while act- 
ing as one of the color guard. A 
more touching tribute was never paid 
the memory of a brave man than when 
his Captain wrote to his afflicted 
mother of the death of her only son. 
He was buried where he fell. His 
mother and two sisters live in Illinois. 
He was a native of Ireland. 

Louis B. Elliott was the oldest son 
of Theodore Elliott, the well known 
wheelwright at the Borough. He en- 
listed in Company E, Sixteenth N.H., 
in the winter of 1862. Although this 
regiment was not engaged in any 
battles of note, the loss of life was 
terrible on account of being located 
in the swamps and bayous of Louisi- 
ana, where malarial fevers and dysen- 
tery almost decimated its ranks. He 
was among the many who lost their 
lives in this manner. He left a widow, 
Mrs. Roxanna Elliott, and two daugh- 
ters, Mrs. Edward Prescott and Mrs. 
Mary Clark, all of whom reside here 
still. 

Major William I. Brown was the 
oldest son of Mr. John S. Brown. 
He had but just graduated from 



Brown University, and was on the 
point of being ordained when the 
war broke out. He enlisted in the 
Ninth N. H., in July, 1862, and was 
commissioned first lieutenant, and 
appointed adjutant. With the Ninth 
he participated in many bloody bat- 
tles, and in the fall of 1864 was pro- 
moted to major, and transferred to 
the Eighteenth N. H., in which regi- 
ment he served until March, 1865, 
when he was killed at Fort Steadman 
just on the eve of the dissolution of 
the Southern Confederacy and the 
close of the war. His remains were 
buried in our cemetery. He was the 
last commissioned officer killed in 
action in that war from our state, as 
his uncle. Captain Drown of the 
Second, was the first, and their bodies 
rest side by side in Woodlawn cem- 
etery. He was small in stature, 
and, as I remember him, had a kindly 
eye, a gentle disposition, and a res- 
olute will. Among the many in both 
regiments who lost their lives for 
their country, none were lamented by 
their comrades more than Major 
Brown, as he was looked upon as one 
of the most reliable as he was one of 
the bravest men in the service. When 
our Grand Army Post was instituted, 
in the winter of 1874, his name was 
the one selected, and I am sure my 
comrades will agree with me when I 
say that in showing this respect for 
his memory we honored ourselves and 
paid a deserved tribute to his worth. 

Nathan Hardy was a son of the 
late Josiah Hardy. He enlisted in 
the Thirteenth New Hampshire, lived 
to return, and died soon after» His 
body lies in the family cemetery, near 
his late home. 

William Maher, well known to the 



8 



Penacook tn the War. 



boys of 1861, is a son of John Maher, 
of Boscawen. He enlisted in Captain 
Durgin's company of the Seventh, 
served his time out, and returned. 
He is now in Washington, D. C. 

John Maher, a brother of William, 
was a member of the same company 
and regiment as his brother. He 
also came out of the struggle safely, 
and is now a resident of Boston. 

James K. Brickett was a well 
known business man here for some 
years before the war, being engaged 
in the manufacture of shoes, in the 
building formerly occupied as a store 
by H. H. & J. 8. Brown. He enlist- 
ed in Captain Durgin's Company of 
the Seventh, and died of yellow-fever 
while on the way from Florida to 
New York. His body found a rest- 
ing-place in the ocean. He left a wid- 
ow, who now resides in East Con- 
cord, and a son and daughter. The 
former was an assistant surgeon dur- 
ing the war, in the navy. The daugh- 
ter was the wife of a well known law- 
yer here, before the war. Mr. Brick- 
ett was advanced in years when he 
enlisted, and was unable to endure 
the hardships of the campaign along 
the malarial coast of the Carolinas 
and Floridas. 

John Savage was an employ^ of 
Rolfe Brothers, and when the war 
broke out went to New York and 
enlisted in Corcoran's 69th Volun- 
teers. He was killed at the first bat- 
tle of Bull Run. He left no relatives 
here, as he came on a visit, in 1857, 
and, liking the place, remained until 
1861, when he went, as stated, to 
New York to enlist in an Irish reg- 
iment, some of the officers of which he 
knew. He was a native of Ireland. 

John K. Flanders was another, 



well known in Penacook before the 
war, as he lived there, boy and man, 
up to the time he enlisted. His fa- 
ther owned and lived in the house on 
Canal street, opposite the bulkhead. 
He was bright and active, and promi- 
nent in amateur theatricals and lyce- 
ums. He enlisted in the Third N. H., 
Co. A, with his brother William, and 
died of yellow-fever, at Hilton Head, 
S. C, in 1863. He left a widow, 
who afterwards married Mr. Freeman 
Tucker of this place. No relatives 
now live here. His brother, who 
served through the war, now lives in 
Illinois, and another is a resident of 
Franklin Falls. 

George W. Gage was the sou of Mr. 
Jacob Gage, whom some of the older 
people will remember as a clerk for 
Mr. Luther Gage when in the old 
store, near the hotel on the Boscawen 
side. He enlisted in the Ninth New 
Hampshire, Co. K, and was killed at 
Bolivar, Kentucky, in 1863. I think 
no relatives now reside here. Like 
so many others, his bones lie far 
from where he was born. 

Moses Jones was one of three 
brothers, who volunteered in response 
to the president's call for troops in 
1861. He enlisted in the Fourteenth 
Infantry of the regular army, and 
served faithfully with his regiment up 
to the time of the terrible campaign of 
the Wilderness, where he received his 
death wound, dying shortly after- 
wards in the hospital in Philadelphia, 
in which city his body was buried. 

Daniel Jones enlisted in Captain 
Durgin's company of the Seventh regi- 
ment in the fall of 1861, and, with the 
comrades of that noble regiment, 
took part in the long siege of Charles- 
ton. He was spared in the charge at 



Penacook in the War. 



Wagnei', but, like so many of his com- 
rades, fell at Olustee, Florida, his 
body falling into the possession of the 
enemy, and receiving burial at their 
hands. Both were brothers of our 
present post commander, David E. 
Jones, and were but boys when they 
received their death wounds. They 
were true types of the thousands who 
went to the front in 1861, with no 
incentive to enlist but a love of 
country and a desire to save the 
Union, for it was before bounties were 
offered as an inducement to enlist. 
It is difficult to realize, thinking of 
these things, that there are those who 
say that men enlisted for the pittance 
of $11 per month, and who grumble 
at the pension paid the mother, who 
contributed three sons in the war to 
save the Union, two of whom she 
never saw again. 

Samuel Wooley was an operative in 
the Penacook Mill. He enlisted in 
Capt. Sturtevant's company of the 
Fifth New Hampshire, in September, 
1861, and died of disease. He was 
unmarried. 

Mathew Wooley was a brother of 
Samuel, and was also an operative 
in the Penacook mill. He enlisted 
in Capt. Durgin's company of the 
Seventh New Hampshire, and died of 
yellow-fever, at Fort Jefferson, Flori- 
da. He left one son, James Wooley, 
who resides here at the present time. 
Both were natives of England. 

Thomas Ward was in the employ of 
John A. Coburn when he enlisted, 
joining the first company of sharp- 
shooters of Berdan's regiment. He 
was killed at the battle of Fair Oaks, 
in June, 1862. He left a widow and 
one daughter. The latter married 
John Rand, who for some years 



worked in the cabinet shop. Both 
mother and daughter are dead. Mr. 
Ward was a native of England. 

William Simpson was a native of 
Scotland, and was in the employ of 
Amsden & Merriam, in the tin busi- 
ness, some years before the war. He 
went to New York and enlisted in the 
Sevent^'-ninth Highlanders, and was 
killed in one of the many battles in 
which the regiment took part. While 
here he vras a general favorite, a 
member of the lyceum, and a fine am- 
ateur actor, as some of the older resi- 
dents of Penacook may recollect. 

Reuben Eastman was a son of the 
widow Judith Eastman, who died last 
year. He was drafted in 1864, as- 
signed to the Fifth New Hampshire, 
and killed in the first battle engaged, 
Cold Harbor, Va. His only relative 
here at the present time is his broth- 
er, William Eastman. 

Luke Garvey was an employ^ of 
Rolfe Bros., and a resident of Pena- 
cook for some eight years before the 
war. He was drafted at the same 
time as Eastman, assigned to the 
same regiment, and killed in the same 
battle. I believe they were the only 
drafted men who went to the front 
from Penacook, substitutes being sent 
by other parties. He left a widow 
and quite a family of young children, 
who now reside in Lowell, Mass. 
James Garvey is a brother, a veteran 
of the navy himself. 

Cyrus Holmes was an employe of 
Caldwell, Amsden & Co., and a resi- 
dent of Penacook for some years be- 
fore the war. He was one of those 
genial boys whom all liked, with a 
pleasant word ' for every one whom 
he met. He enlisted in the 1st Mass. 
Cavalry, and died during the war, of 



lO 



Penacook in the War. 



disease, at Hilton Head. It was ray 
fortune to meet him there in 1862. 
He was a sou of the late True 
Holmes. Two of his brothers and 
two sisters now reside here. 

Walter Roby was a son of S. C. 
Roby, well known here. He served 
in the Third N. H., Co. E, and died 
at Hilton Head during the war. 

Roland Taylor, a mule-spiuuer, was 
an employe of H. H. & J. S. Brown, 
He enlisted in the Fifth New Hamp- 
shire, Co. A, was severely wounded 
during the seven days' fighting before 
Richmond in 1862, and died June 4 
of that year. He left no relatives 
here. He was a native of England. 

Lorenzo F. Connor was a tinsmith, 
who lived here as boy and man, 
working for some time in the store of 
Amsden & Merriam, now occupied 
by J. F. Hastings. He enlisted in the 
Seventh New Hampshire, Durgin's 
company, and was killed in the charge 
on Wagner, July 18, 1863. He left a 
sister, wife of Henry Abbott, now a 
resident of Concord. 

James C. Elliott was a brother of 
George B. Elliott, a member of our 
Post. He enlisted in the Sixteenth 
New Hampshire, Co. E, and died at 
Port Hudson, La., July 27, 1863. His 
brother served in the same regiment. 

Loveland C. French enlisted as a 
drummer in the Third New Hamp- 
shire, and died of disease. His father 
resides here still. 

Daniel Abbott was a brother of 
Dea. Frank A. Abbott. He enlisted 
in Capt. Durgin's company, of the 
Seventh, and participated in the long 
siege of Wagner, where his life was 
spared only to meet his destiny at 
Olustee, Florida. Here he was capt- 
ured, and died in Andersonville 



prison, which so many entered never 
again to leave alive. 

Freeman Ferrin was the father of 
Lyman Ferrin. He enlisted in the 
Seventh, in Durgin's company of that 
regiment, and was killed in the charge 
on Wagner. He was of tlie West 
Concord family of that name. 

James Martin, Jr., was the son of 
James Martin, and served in tlie same 
company and regiment with his father 
and brother, Michael C, Eightli New 
Hampshire, He was killed at Port 
Hudson on the same day Lieutenant- 
Colonel Lull lost his life. The family 
lived here before the war, the two 
boys working in the mill and the 
father on the railroad. They did not 
return here at the close of the war. 

Captain Nathaniel French was a 
son of the late Richard J. F'rench, 
and a brother of Thomas C. French. 
He was appointed assistant-surgeon 
of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, and 
died at Port Hudson. His brother re- 
sides here still on Canal street. 

John Price was born in England. 
He was an employe of H. H. & J. S. 
Brown. He enlisted in Capt. Dur- 
gin's company, of the Seventh, and 
died in the service, of disease. 

L. S. Raymond was of the Bos- 
cawen family of that name. He 
worked in the Penacook Mill as a 
boy. He enlisted in Durgin's com- 
pany, and fell at Wagner. 

Joseph Morrill was the son of Eben 
Morrill, of the Borough. He enlisted 
in the Seventh, and was killed at 
Wagner. 

Selwin Reed was son of Deacon 
Reed, for many years the well known 
miller. He died at Beaufort, S. C, 
in 1863, while serving in Capt. Dur- 
gin's company of the Seventh. 



Penacook in the War. 



II 



Jefferson Searle was a resident of 
Penacook, towards the Mast Yard. 
He enlisted in the fall of 1861 in Capt. 
Durgin's company, of the Seventh, 
and was killed at Olustee, a battle in 
which so many of the Seventh met 
their death. His widow married 
Joseph Thurber, and resides at Mast 
Yard. 

Samuel P. Reed was son of Deacon 
Reed, and a brother of Selwyn. He 
enlisted in Captain Durgin's company 
of the Seventh, and was killed in 
action at Laurel Hill, Va., in 1864. 

James M. Dwinnells was a recruit 
for Capt. Durgin's company. Seventh, 
and was killed at Olustee, in 1864. 

Alfred A. Clough was well known 
among the Fisherville boys before the 
war, his father living in the house on 
Summer street long occupied by the 
late C. C. Topliff, M. D. He en- 
listed in the Tenth N. H., Co. A, was 
captured at Five Oaks in 1864, ex- 
changed, and died shortly after from 
the hard usage in prison. 

Horace Clough was a brother of 
Alfred, and when he enlisted was 
at work in the cabinet-shop. He was 
a bright, happy boy, and a general 
favorite. He served in Co. E, First 
Heavy Artillery, and died on his re- 
turn. Both brothers were buried in 
Woodlawn cemetery. 

George M. Whidden was the son 
of a Mr. Whidden who owned the 
bouse on Summer street now occu- 
pied by John A. Coburn. He en- 
listed in Capt. Durgin's company of 
the Seventh, and died of wounds on 
June 25, 1864. 

In thus presenting a list of the 
men who went to the war from Pena- 
cook, and who lost their lives during 
the struggle, while a momentary 



thought of regret may pass through 
our minds, how little do we think of 
the terrible agony endured by many 
of them, as, torn by shot or shell, 
they lay on the battlefield, praying 
for death to end their sufferings : of 
many more dying a lingering death 
amid the malarial swamps of Louisi- 
ana, some of them but mere boys, 
far from a mother's loving care ; and 
of the thousands literally starved to 
death in the prison pens of the South, 
where, tortured by hunger, swarming 
with vermin, and covered with sores, 
they died rather than accept freedom 
on condition of enlistment in the rebel 
army. Native and foreign alike — 
Americans, Englishmen, Irishmen, 
and Canadians — they volunteered, 
before bounty or inducement was 
offered, in response to the call of 
Abraham Lincoln to save the Union 
of the states ; and whether in camp, 
on the march, in the trench, on the 
battlefield, or in the hospital, they 
freely divided their last crust, or 
shared alike in the contents of their 
canteens to the last drop, thus laying 
the foundation among those who sur- 
vived for a fraternity so broad and 
deep that neither the fierce parti- 
sanship of a political contest, nor 
the hateful quarrels of religious sects, 
can shatter it. 

Pessimists may deplore the ten- 
dency of the times from their stand- 
point, and look back with longing 
eyes to an imaginary period when 
there was more purity and integrity 
among our public men, and more of 
the love of country among our citi- 
zens ; but there never was a time in 
the history of this nation when better, 
purer, or abler men managed its 
aft'airs than duriner that eventful 



12 



Penacook in the War 



■|i 



epoch in our existence, between 1861 
and 1865, when Abraham Lincoln, 
Edwin M. Stanton, Salmon P. Chase, 
William H. Seward, and their asso- 
ciates ruled the destinies of the re- 
public, or more patriotism and true 
love of country manifested than by 
the men who were taught the science 
of- war under McClellan, and con- 
quered the Confederacy under Grant, 
Sherman, and Sheridan. 

The best illustration of the effects 
of Christian civilization on this con- 
tinent, after nearly a century of sep- 
aration from the corrupt, demoral- 
izing, aristocratic governments of 
Europe, was the character of that 
war ; — for, if there is one fact more 
than another made clear by history, 
it is that describing the atrocious out- 
rages committed on the old and the 
young, the weak and the helpless, 
and especially on the women and 
children, by the victorious soldiers of 
former wars. The War of the Revo- 
lution was not exempt from this 
stain ; and the burning of Washing- 
ton in the War of 1812 — brutal and 
needless — proved that that phase of 
barbarism still existed among the 
armies of a nation claiming to be in 
the fore front of civilization. Beauty 
and booty were the words in the 
mouths of Packenham's soldiers at 
New Orleans, and this fact nerved the 
troops of Jackson, and enabled them to 
achieve a glorious victory, and con- 
quer a peace that has existed up to 
the present time. 

But it remained for the soldiers 
of the civil war. South as well as 
North, to set an example such as the 
world had heretofore not seen in its 
great conflicts, — for from the begin- 
ning to the end of that struggle wil- 



ful destruction of property was the 
exception, not the rule, and acts of 
violence towards women were looked 
upon with so much horror that offences 
of that nature, when occurring, which 
was very rare, were sure to meet with 
a just and speedy punishment. The 
character of the great body of volun- 
teers in the Union Army was similar 
to that of the men and boys who left 
our village. They were, in the greater 
part, the sons of God-fearing parents, 
and it was not surprising that the 
lessons taught them at their mothers* 
knees bore such fruit, for never in 
the history of any nation were there 
found better husbands, more faithful 
sons, or braver soldiers than in that 
army towards which Penacook fur- 
nished her full proportion ; and when 
an occasion like the observance of 
to-day recalls to mind the forms of 
those who never came back, one is 
tempted to say of them what Pericles 
said of his comrades who fell in the 
Samian War more than two thousand 
years ago, — "• They are become immor- 
tal like the gods, for the gods them- 
selves are not visible to us, but, from 
the honors they receive and the 
happiness they enjoy, we conclude 
they are immortal ; and such should 
these brave men be who die for their 
country." 

Of that fierce struggle, which lasted 
four years, it has been truly said, — 
" It was the greatest war of the cen- 
tury. On the Union side alone, 1 10,070 
men were killed in battle ; while 
249,458 more died from disease, by 
accidents, in military prisons, or from 
other causes. Including both sides, 
over half a million lives were lost." 
It is hard to realize the meaning of 
the figures " 110,070 men killed," and 



Penacnok in the War. 



13 



that on one side only. But on this 
occasion I will dwell only on our own 
state and village. New Hampshire 
sent to the civil war one regiment of 
cavalry, one of heavy artillery, one 
light battery, one battalion of sharp- 
shooters, one three-months infantry 
regiment, two-nine months, thirteen 
three-years, and one, — organized in 
September, 1864, the Eighteenth, — 
served to the close of the war, about 
ten months. 

The total number of men who went 
from New Hampshire was a trifle 
above 35,000. Of that number 2,004 
were killed or died of wounds, and 
2,928 died of disease in prison, by 
accident, or otherwise. Adding the 
loss in killed, and who died of wounds 
and disease, of the battalion of sharp- 
shooters, which is not included in the 
above figures, and New Hampshire's 
loss foots up in round numbers to 
5,000 men ; or, in other words, one 
man in seven who went to the front 
from this state, between April, 1861, 
and April, 1865, never returned, be- 
ing killed in battle, or dying of 
disease or wounds. An estimate can 
be formed from these figures of the 
number of desolate homes, and the 
thousands of widows, orphans, and 
mourning relatives, found in our 
state, when the surrender of Lee's 
army ended the war. 

Small as our village was at that 
time, it furnished volunteers for the 
1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 
8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 
16th, and l8th Infantry Regiments; 
1st Cavalry, Light Battery; 1st 
Heavy Artillery ; 1st New England 
Cavalry ; Regular Army ; Navy and 
Marine Corps; 69th, 79th, and Fire 
Zouaves of New York, and the 10th 



Vermont. The following is a roll of 
the men who left Peuacook, and who 
survived to the end of the war. It is 
made up from memory, largely, and 
must be imperfect. The names en- 
rolled are of men who lived in the 
village, or in its immediate vicinity, 
for it must be remembered that in the 
report of the Adjutant General, the 
majority are credited to Concord, 
Boscawen, and Canterbury, the vil- 
lage being located on the borders of 
those three towns, having no identity 
of its own as a town, Penacook being 
merely a post-office address. 

SECOND RKGIMENT. 

Lieut. Isaac N. Vesper, now of 
Blackstone, Mass., resident of Pena- 
cook many years before the war. 

Lieut. Abner F. Durgiu, quarter- 
master of the regiment ; one of a 
family of four, who served through 
the war, all dead but him, and his 
intellect is gone. 

Lieut. Joseph H. Wilkinson, a 
native of England, present resi- 
dence unknown.' 

Corporal Joseph C. Sweatt, son of 
the late Ira Sweatt, died since the 
war, and fs buried in Woodlawn 
cemetery. 

James Thompson, unknown. 

Daniel Desmond, a native of Ire- 
land, well known before the war, died 
at Togus, Me., in the Soldiers' Home, 
about five years ago. 

Nicholas Duffy, well known before 
the war, resides in Penacook now. 
He is a native of Ireland. 

Philip C. Eastman, an old resident, 
well known, lives in Concord. 

Hiram S. Goodwin, an old resi- 
dent, now resides in Denver, Colo 
rado. 



H 



Penacook in the War. 



THIRD RKGIMENT. 

Adna S. Currier was a son of Bar- 
ney Currier, nephew of Dr. Steve Cur- 
rier ; died some years since tlie war. 

James M. Chase was an employe 
of Caldwell & Amsden when he en- 
listed ; now lives in Manchester. 

Joel A, Cushion was in his day 
one of the best known men in Pena- 
cook, keen and witty. He now lives in 
Webster. 

Joseph H. Currier was a brother of 
Dr. Steve Currier, and died some 
two years ago in Concord. 

Fred H. Favor was one of those 
well known, and as well liked, before 
the war ; present residence unknown. 

Edwin Farrand was a brother of 
Robert. He died shortly after the 
war, and is buried in Woodlawn 
cemetery. 

Hiram Gage was a brother of the 
late Calvin Gage, and now resides in 
Kansas. 

William W. H. Gage is a son of 
Hiram, and also resides in Kansas. 

Thomas Minnehan was a son of 
Jerry Minnehan, a native of Ireland. 
They could neither kill nor drown 
him during the war, as some of the 
Third boys will remember. 

Martin Spellman is a native of 
Ireland, and employed on the rail- 
road; residence unknown. 

Jeremiah Sheehan is a native of 
Ireland ; resides in Manchester. He 
also served in the Tenth. 

D. Arthur Brown was the son of 
the late Deacon Henry H. Brown, 
and is at present manager of the 
Concord Axle Works. 

Henry F. Brown is a brother of 
D. Arthur Brown, and at the present 
time treasurer of the Contoocook 
Manufacturing Co. 



Samuel F. Brown is a brother 
of John S. Brown, for many years 
superintendent of the weaving de- 
partment in the cotton mills, and re- 
sides here at the present time. 

Geo. E. Flanders was, before and 
since the war, overseer of the carding 
department in the Harris Woollen 
Mill, and later in the Contoocook 
Cotton Mill. He still lives in Pena- 
cook. 

Carl Krebs was a native of Ger- 
many, and a noted clarinet player. 
On his return from the war he settled 
in Boston until his health broke 
down, when he went to the celebrated 
water cure at Danville, New York, 
where he died about five years ago. 

John C. Linehan was born in Ire- 
land. Came to Penacook in 1852, 
and still resides here. 

William W. Flanders was a brother 
of John K. Flanders, and served in 
Company A. He returned here at the 
close of the war, but went to the state 
of Illinois, where he now resides. 

Jason R. C. Hoyt was born in the 
Borough, and now resides in Web- 
ster. 

Loveland W. French was quite a 
small boy when he enlisted as a 
drummer, and died in camp in 
Concord. His father still resides 
here. 

John C. Mitchell was a son of 
Philip Mitchell, and was well known. 
He died shortly after the close of 
the war. No relatives of his now 
reside here. 

John Curran was in the employ of 
C. W. Webster, but made his home 
in Penacook. He is a native of 
Ireland. He enlisted in Co. C, Capt. 
Donahoe. He now resides in Bos- 
ton . 



Penaccok in the War. 



15 



FOURTH REGIMENT. 

Sergeant Samuel H. Runnells was 
one of the color sergeants of his 
regiment. He was known to all of 
his comrades as " Lady Washington," 
and as such was known all over the 
state, and tliose who once heard his 
voice when cheering will never forget 
it. He was accidentally killed in 
Manchester a few years ago. 

Michael Cuddy is a native of Ire- 
land, and was well known here before 
the war. When last heard from he 
was in Manchester. 

William Brannan was an employ^ 
in the Axle works before the war, 
living in the Halloran house in "■ Cali- 
fornia." He enlisted in the Fourth, 
served out his time, then reenlisted, 
returned here, and with his family 
removed to Nashua, where he died 
some ten years ago. He was born 
in Ireland. 

FIFTH REGIMENT. 

Sergeant Daniel Gibson was well 
known here before the war ; now re- 
sides in Nashua. 

Corporal Walter W. Eastman was 
an overseer in the Penacook Mill 
when he enlisted. He still resides 
here. 

Orris T. Blinn was well known 
to the older residents. He died some 
eight years ago. 

Patiick Brannan is a native of 
Ireland, and now resides in Charles- 
town. Mass. 

Calvin P. Couch, unknown to me. 

Nathan C. Dauforth was one of 
our oldest residents. He died last 
year. He had two sons in the service 
also. 

Luther C. Copp now lives in Low- 
ell. 

Svlvanus Danforth was a son of 



Nathan C. Danforth. He now lives 
in West Concord. 

Edwin C. Gilmore was a nephew 
of John A. Coburn. He died just 
after the war, and is buried in 
Woodlawn cemetery. 

Thomas Gahagan was a son of 
John Gahagan, who was the first 
Irishman to locate in Penacook. He 
is at the soldiers' home in Togus, 
Maine. He was half brother to Rich- 
ard Nolan, who was killed at Wag- 
ner. 

Anthony Gahagan was in his day 
one of the best known men in the vil- 
lage. He was a native of Ireland, 
and accidentally killed in California 
since the war. 

Albert Hunt was an uncle of New- 
ell C. Hunt. He died shortly after 
the war. 

Benjamin F. Morse, the well 
known barber, has been one of our 
best known citizens for the past thir- 
ty-six years. He is known to smile 
occasionally when he hears a good 
thing. He left one of his legs at An- 
tietara, but works as hard as a man 
with two. As he is very comfortably 
located in this world, he is in no hurry 
to start for the other, and while we 
remain here we want him to stay 
with us. 

Sergeant Charles Riley was a long- 
time resident of Penacook. He was 
a native of Ireland. He died about 
five years ago, and is buried in 
Woodlawn cemetery. He was a mem- 
ber of Wm. I. Brown Post 31, G. A. R. 

Bernard Thornton was one of the 
old residents. He was born in Ire- 
land. He belonged to W. I. Brown 
Post G. A. R. He died about three 
years ago, and is buried in Woodlawn 
ceraeterv. 



i6 



Penacook in the War. 



SIXTH REGIMENT. 

Andrew J. Simonds, one of our old 
residents, died about two years ago, 
and is buried in Woodlawu cemetery. 

SEVENTH REGIMENT. 

Major J. S. Durgiu was for many 
years the landlord of the Washing- 
ton House, and the father of Abner, 
Hiram, and Scot Durgin, who were all 
in the war. He represented Pena- 
cook in the board of aldermen, Con- 
cord ; was also in the legislature. He 
died shortly after the war, and is 
buried in Woodlawn cemetery. He 
raised a company here for the Seventh 
regiment. 

Rev. J. C. Emerson was chaplain. 
He located in Florida after the war, 
and was drowned there while sailing 
on the St. John's river. He was pas- 
tor of the Methodist church here for 
a time. 

Lieut. Robert Burt worked for John 
A. Coburu when he enlisted. He now 
resides in San Jose, California, where 
I had the pleasure of meeting him two 
years ago. 

Lieut. Charles B. Wallace was well 
known here before the war. He left 
here on his return, and his present 
residence is unknown. 

Sergeant Charles D. Rowell was 
overseer of the spinning room in Pen- 
acook Mill, for many years before 
the war. On his return, he went to 
Shirley, Mass., I think, where he still 
resides. He was a noted rifle shot. 

Corporal Jonas Foster is a native 
of England. He still resides here, 
and is well known. 

George A. Hoyt lives at Horse Hill. 

Joseph S. Hoyt, brother of George, 
returned, but died shortly after. 

Robert O. Farraud had both eyes 
shot out at the battle of Olustee. He 



still lives here, and, like Comrade 
Morse, is one of the most industrious 
men in the village. He was born in 
England. 

Geo. W. Abbott is one of our 
well known citizens and business 
men. He also proposes to stay in 
Penacook. 

Oliver B. Abbott was one of the 
old-time boys. He returned from 
the war, but died a few years after, 
and is buried in Woodlawn cemetery. 

Fisher Ames is one of our oldest 
residents, and still resides here. 

James Chadwick was born in Eng- 
land. He still resides in Penacook, 
and is in the employ of the Contoo- 
cook Manufacturing Company. 

Samuel Chandler is a veteran of the 
Mexican as well as of the civil war. 
He is still in Penacook. 

Lyman Cheney was one of our best 
known citizens. He died about ten 
years ago. 

Wm. Duckworth was born in Eng- 
land. He still resides here. 

Edson A. Eastman belonged at 
Horse Hill. He died some years af- 
ter his return. 

Lucian O. Holmes belonged at 
Horse Hill. His present residence is 
unknown. 

David E. Jones is the present Com- 
mander of Wm. I. Brown Post 31, 
G. A. R., and the sole survivor of 
three brothers who went to the war. 

Daniel W. Martin was a son of 
Deacon J. C. Martin. He now re- 
sides at Leominster Mass. 

Thomas Sawyer enlisted in Capt. 
Durgiu's company. He married a 
sister of W. W. Whittier. He re- 
turned here after the war, but removed 
elsewhere shortly after. He lost a 
leo; at Wagner. 



Penacook in the War. 



17 



George W. Gilnian was a son of 
Lieut. John Oilman. He enlisted in 
the company of Capt. J. S. Durgin. 
He returned here at the close of the 
war, but left a few years later. 

James Hatton was a native of Eng- 
land, an operative in the Penacook 
Mill, and a brother-in-law of James 
Weir. He returned here at the close 
of the war, but moved away shortly 
afterwards. 

Samuel W. Holt was well known 
here before the war. He returned 
here, making it his home until his 
death some years ago. He is buried 
in Woodlawn. 

Peter Howarth was born in Eng- 
land, and was an operative in the 
Penacook Mill. He enlisted in Capt. 
Durgin's company. He returned at 
the close of the war, but moved to 
New Bedford, where he died some 
years ago. His daughter is the wife 
of John McNiel. 

William S. Roach was a well known 
man before the war, in the merchant 
tailor business. He enlisted in Capt. 
Durgin's company, returning at the 
close of the war. He now resides in 
Newmarket. 

Samuel McElroy, a native of Scot- 
land, was an operative in the Pena- 
cook Mill before the war. He enlist- 
ed in Capt. Durgin's company, served 
out his time, and returned safely. He 
is now a resident of Manchester. 

Samuel Cheney was a veteran of 
the Mexican War. He enlisted in 
Co. E. His present whereabouts are 
unknown. 

William S. Hutchinson enlisted in 
Co. E, and returned here, where he 
still resides. 

William R. Wadleigh was a son of 
the well known George W. Wadleigh, 



now of Concord. He enlisted in Capt. 
Durgin's Co., returned here, and died 
about twelve 3'ears ago. His body is 
in Woodlawn. 

EIGHTH REGIMENT. 

Michael Griffin was born in Ire- 
land. He has made his home here 
since his return. 

James Martin was born in Ireland. 
He did not return here when the war 
closed. 

Michael Martin was also born in 
Ireland, and has not been here since 
the war. He was the son of James 
Martin. 

NINTH REGIMENT. 

John H. Brown was a son of John 
F. Brown. He died shortly after his 
return. 

Patrick McQuade returned, reen- 
listed in the regular service, and was 
killed in one of the battles with the 
Indians on the plains. He was born 
in Ireland. 

William Kidder, unknown to the 
writer. He served in Co. E. 

TVeELFTH REGIMENT. 

Edward C. Jameson was a son of 
the late Josiah Jameson. He enlisted 
as a drummer, and died shortly after 
his return from the war. 

Charlie K. Manning was a son of 
Elisha R. Manning, a bright-faced, 
handsome boy. He returned here at 
the close of the war, but his present 
residence is unknown. 

Ross C. Goodwin was a grandson 
of the late Reuben Goodwin. He died 
some years after the war, and his body 
lies in the West Concord cemetery. 

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT. 

William H. Moody is one of our 
well known residents, having lived 
here since the close of the war. 



i8 



Penacook in the War. 



FIFTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Moody J. Boyce was the son of 
Milton Boyce, wlio resides on the Can- 
terbury side of the Merrimack river. 
He was an employe of Rolfe Brothers, 
and enlisted in Co. G. He now lives 
in the northern part of the state. 

SIXTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Lt. Albert H. Drown, quartermas- 
ter, was a brother of Capt. Leonard 
Drown of the Second. He was prom- 
inent in village affairs for years before 
the war, but since his return has 
made his home in Massachusetts. 

Sergt. David D. Smith was com- 
missary sergeant of the Sixteenth. 
His present residence is in Philadel- 
phia, where he is a professor in the 
dental college. 

Samuel N. Brown was a sou of John 
S. Brown, and a brother of Major W. 
I. Brown of the Eighteenth regiment. 
He has made his home here since 
the close of the war, and is at 
the present time superintendent of 
the Contoocook Mfg. Co. He also 
served in the Eighteenth as quarter- 
master-sergeant. 

George H. Cushion was a son of 
Joel A. Cushion. He returned here 
after the war, but went away shortly 
after. 

Hall F. Elliott returned with the 
regiment, but died shortly afterward. 
He was of the Borough family of that 
name, and was the father of Alonzo 
Elliott, the carriage manufacturer. 

John H. Elliott was the son of 
Hall Elliott. He returned with and 
died about the same time as his 
father. Both were buried in Wood- 
lawn cemetery. 

Alfred Elliott has lived here since 



the war, and at present is in the em- 
ploy of the Contoocook Co. 

Hanson D. Emerson returned here 
after the war, but later on removed 
to Hopkinton where he now lives. 

Asa Emery was a son of William 
Emery. He also served some years 
in the navy. He has made his home 
here since the war, but is out of the 
state at present. 

Geo. B. Elliott, brother of James, 
who died at Port Hudson, lives in 
Penacook. 

Isaac C. Evans lived here for a 
time after his return, but for a num- 
ber of years resided in Boston, where 
he died about two years ago. 

Peter O. Shepard returned at the 
close of the war, but died a few years 
later. The two latter are buried in 
Woodlawn. 

John Heath now lives in West Par- 
ish. 

EIGHTEENTH REGIMENT. 

Corp. J. Scott Durgin was the 
youngest sou of Major J. S. Durgin- 
He died a few years after his return. 
He was buried in Woodlawn. 

William E. Jameson was for years 
a resident of Penacook before the 
war. Since his return he has lived in 
Haverhill, Mass. 

James M. Shepard, since his return, 
lived here until about three years ago, 
when he moved to Haverhill, N. H., 
where he now resides. 

George H. Gleason enlisted in Co. 
A. He returned here, and for some 
years resided on the Boscawen side, 
near the place of David E. Jones. 

Frank Stevens was an employ^ of 
Caldwell & Amsden. He came here 
from Salisbury, and returned there 
after the war. 



Penacook in the War. 



19 



William Baruett was a son of Geo. 
Barnett. He left here some years 
after his return. He is now in New 
Bedford, Mass. 

Nathaniel E. Baker was unknown 
to the writer. 

Frank S. Hunt was a son of Albert 
Hunt, of the Fifth. He died shortly 
after his return. 

Nathaniel O. Kimball and William 
F. Wallace were unknown to the 
writer. 

FIRST NEW HAMPSHIRE CAVALRY. 

Henry Pearson was a native of 
England. He returned here at the 
close of the war, but shortly after 
moved away. 

Henry A. Flint — unknown. 

FIRST NEW ENGLAND CAVALRY. 

William H. Caldwell was a son of 
the late B. F. Caldwell. He was in 
Andersonville. He is now in Califor- 
nia. 

Horace H. Danforth was a son of 
Nathan C. Danforth, who served in 
the Fifth. He returned here at the 
close of the war, and died about fif- 
teen years ago. 

FIRST REGIMENT U. S. SHARPSHOOTERS. 

Lieut. Isaac Davis served in Com- 
pany E of this regiment. 

Lieut. John H. Gilman enlisted in 
the Sharpshooters. He returned here 
at the close of the war, and was acci- 
dentally killed by the premature ex- 
plosion of a charge of powder while 
at work in a quarry. 

Elisha R. Manning returned here 
after the war, and built the house now 
occupied by W. W. Eastman. He 
moved away shortly after. 

Benjamin Morrison is a brother of 
John C. Morrison. He now resides in 
Lowell, Mass. 



Joseph H. Rolfe is a son of Captain 
Nathaniel Rolfe. He has lived in 
Minneapolis since the war. 

Joseph E. Sanders returned here, 
and made Penacook his home up to 
the time of his death about three 
years ago. 

Charles P. Shepard returned here 
after the war, and for some years was 
a caterer in Manchester and Concord. 
He lives on his farm at present. 

James F. Tyler was in the employ 
of J. A. Coburn, He came back here 
after the war, but did not remain. 

FIRST HEAVY ARTILLERY. 

Henry J. Brackett worked in the 
cabinet shop when he enlisted, and 
after his return, but for some years 
has lived in Webster. 

Mark Chase also worked before and 
after his enlistment in the cabinet 
shop, but left shortly after his return. 

Fred W. Durgin was unknown to 
the writer. He served in Co. E. 

William H. French was a son of O. 
N. French, one of our well known 
citizens. He made his home in Pen- 
acook until his death, about ten years 
ago. He is buried in Woodlawn. 

Oscar F. French was a brother of 
William. He served in the Seventh. 
On his return he kept a barber-shop 
here for some years. He died about 
ten years ago, in Littleton, N. H., 
and is buried in Woodlawn. 

Warren D. Morrill lived in the 
family of Eben Morrill at the Bor- 
ough. He returned here at the close 
of the war, and now lives in Con- 
cord . 

Lawrence Jemery was a nephew of 
Francis Jemery, a cooper. Residence 
unknown. 

Joseph Jemery was a brother of 



20 



Pen a CO ok in the War. 



Lawrence. They left here ou their 
return. 

George Marsh is the son of David 
Marsh. He now resides here. 

Leroy Sweatt was a nephew of 
Cady Sweatt, and on his return went 
to California. 

Hirara J, Morrill is a past-com- 
mander of W. I. Brown Post 31, and 
still resides here. 

Moses E. Haynes lived on the Can- 
terbury side of the Merrimack. He 
enlisted in Co. E. 

Charles P. Haynes, his brother, 
served in the same company and reg- 
iment. Both reside in Penacook. 

Robert Lloyd served in Co. K. 

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY. 

Robert Crowther was overseer in 
the mule-spinning department of the 
Penacook Mill. He enlisted in July, 
1861, served out his full time, and 
fills the same position in the Pena- 
cook Mill at the present time. He is 
a native of England, and has made 
his home in Penacook since 1852. 

VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 

George Scales served in Co. G, 
Second Regt. U. S. S. S. He lived 
here for some years after the war, 
but went to Colorado some six years 
ago. 

Francis Spearman enlisted in the 
Third U. S. Artillery. He was a broth- 
er of Andrew Spearman, and was acci- 
dentally killed in California some ten 
years ago. 

Patrick Gahagan, was a brother 
of Anthony Gahagan. He returned 
here, but shortly after went to Cali- 
ifornia, and was never heard from. 

John Meaghla served in the Seventh 
R. I. He died at the close of the 



war, and is buried at Woodlawn. 
He was born in Ireland. 

James C. Bowen, one of our well 
known citizens, served in the Marine 
Corps. He resides here still. 

James Gahagan also served in the 
Marine Corps. He was a brother of 
the late Vincent Gahagan, and for 
many years a section hand in the 
Penacook Mill. He died shortly after 
his return, and is buried in Wood- 
lawn. He was a native of Ireland. 

Thomas Brannan served in the 
Marine Corps. He returned here at 
the close of the war, and now resides 
at Newmarket. He was born in Ire- 
land. 

Philip Hacket was a native of Ire- 
land, and an employ^ of E. S. Harris 
& Co. He returned here at the close 
of the war, but left shortly after. 
He served in the navy. 

Charles Moulton was also an em- 
ploy^ of Harris & Co., and has not 
lived here since the war. He served 
in the navy. 

James Garvey was a brother of 
Luke Garvey, who was killed at Mine 
Run. He served in the navy, and 
has made his home here since his 
return. He was born in Ireland. 

Alfred Preston was a native of 
England. He came here a few years 
before the war, and married a sister 
of the late John Thornton. He went 
to New York when the war broke out, 
and enlisted in the Fire Zouaves. 
What became of him is not known, as 
he did not return here. 

George Brown lived at the Borough, 
in a log house, beyond Amos Elliott's 
house. He returned here, and died 
some years ago. 

Wesley Eastman was a brother of 



Penacook in the War. 



21 



W. W. Eastman, who served in the 
Fifth. He was a section hand in the 
weaving department of the Penacook 
Mill for some years. He enlisted in 
the Marine Corps, serving with Bow- 
en and Gahagan. He now resides in 
Manchester. 

Loren F. Currier was a member of 
the brigade band stationed at Port 
Ro3'al during the war. He still re- 
sides here. 

David A. Brown was a member of 
the Port Royal brigade band, and is 
one of Penacook's oldest musicians, 
as he is one of its most respected cit- 
izens. He is still among us. 

James McGuire was a brother of 
Mrs. Peter McArdle, and was well 
known here before the war. He went 
to New York, and enlisted in a regi- 
ment from that state. 

Owen McGuire was a brother of 
James, and enlisted in the same 
regiment. Both lived through the war, 
and now reside in New York. 

In the brief sketches of these 
men, but little can be said of their 
character. In responding to their 
country's call they proved their loy- 
alty and patriotism. Many of them 
have died since their return, many 
more have found homes in other 
communities, but the quality of those 
who remain with us can be seen 
by the following figures, taken from 
the assessor's book of Ward 1, Con- 
cord, for April, 1889. Forty-seven 
citizens of Penacook — Ward 1 , Con- 
cord — who are honorably discharged 
soldiers, all but one of whom were 
privates or non-commissioned officers, 
are taxed for real or personal prop- 
erty, mainly the former, to the asses- 
sed value of $99,104. To show how 



equitably this is distributed, a tabu- 
lated statement is given. 

No. 1 is assessed for $11,328 

" 2 " 7,500 

" 7,400 

" 6,125 

" 6,100 

" 4,856 

4,375 
3,525 
" 3,350 

" 3,175 

" 2,600 

" 2,400 

" • 2,000 

" 1,825 

" 1,800 

" 1,750 

" 1,6L0 

" 1,600 

" 1,600 

1,500 
" 1,450 

" 1,220 

" 1,200 

" 1,200 

1,150 
" 1,050 

'^ 1,000 

" 1,000 

" 1,000 

" 1,000 

1,000 
" 900 

" 900 

" 900 

800 
" 800 

" 800 

" 800 

750 
650 
600 
570 



(( 


3 


(( 


4 


l( 


5 


(( 


6 


(I 


7 


(( 


8 


(( 


9 


u 


10 


(( 


11 


l( 


12 


(I 


13 


(( 


14 


(I 


15 


k ( 


16 


(( 


17 


11 


18 


(( 


19 


(( 


20 


u 


21 


u 


22 


l( 


23 


(k 


24 


(( 


25 


(; 


26 


(( 


27 


(( 


28 


( ( 


29 


(( 


30 


(( 


31 


u 


32 


(( 


33 


u 


34 


u 


35 


41 


36 


(( 


37 


C( 


38 


(I 


39 


i( 


40 


(( 


41 


(( 


42 



22 



Penacook in the Ifar. 



No. 43 is 


assessed for 


$550 


" 44 


u 


455 


" 45 


(( 


400 


" 46 


u 


375 


" 47 


u 


175 



),104 



On the Boscawen side of Pen- 
acook, nine veterans are 
assessed. Estimated value 
S9,600, distributed as fol- 
lows : 

No. 



1 is assessed — estimate, 


$2,000 


2 


1,200 


3 " 


1,200 


4 ;; 


1,000 


5 " 


1,000 


6 


800 


7 " 


800 


8 


800 


9 


800 



$108,704 

The valuation of the school-district 
in which nearly all of the foregoing 
reside, is, in round numbers, about 
$600,000, so that the veterans pay 
nearly one sixth of the taxes in the 
district. The bulk of the balance is 
paid by the manufacturers and mer- 
chants. 

The membership of W, I. Brown 
Post 31, G. A. R., of Penacook, is 
sixty-five, and nearly every veteran 
in the village belongs to it. It will 
be seen from the above, that fifty- 
seven of the number pay more than a 
poll tax. When so much is said about 
pensions, the fact should be borne in 
mind, that, judging from the character 
of the Penacook veterans, no class of 
men have done more, by honest la- 
bor, to accumulate the much talked 
of surplus than the veterans them- 
selves. If any one doubts this, let 



him take notice for the next three 
months, and, if he is a man whose 
business takes him about the country, 
he will find that there is not an occu- 
pation or profession in the United 
States in which will not be found 
men who are wearing the modest lit- 
tle bronze button of the Grand Army 
of the Republic. They will be found 
on the railroads as section-men, 
brakemen, baggage-masters, conduc- 
tors, firemen, engineers, superintend- 
ents, managers, and presidents , at 
the bar among the most eminent law- 
yers, on the bench, in both houses 
of congress. oflScers of the highest 
rank in the army and navy, manufac- 
turers and business men, presidents 
of the United States, and governors 
of commonwealths, ministers in evan- 
gelical churches, and priests in Cath- 
olic cathedrals. Many of those who 
never rose above the rank of non- 
commissioned oflScers are socially the 
equals of many more who wore three 
stars on their shoulders, and in civil 
life are as loyal to the constitution 
and laws of the country as they were 
true to them during the war. The 
great debt, run up between 1861 and 
1865, they have done as much by 
their labor to reduce as any other 
class, and their proportion of the tax- 
es levied for the payment of pensions 
to their wounded or enfeebled com- 
rades is fully as large as that of any 
other. Citizens who are fond of grum- 
bling about the amount paid to the crip- 
pled and unfortunate ought to consid- 
er this, — that every honest, industri- 
ous veteran (and that means all, with 
very few exceptions) whom God has 
blessed with good health has paid 
a double duty to his country, — first, 
by risking his life to save it from 



Penacook in the War. 



23 



disruption, and again, by his honest 
labor, paying his taxes, increasing 
the revenue, and paying the war 
debt. Lecky, in his " History of 
England in the Eighteenth Century," 
has paid them a tribute for tlieir un- 
selfish patriotism which future Amer- 
ican historians will be proud to quote. 
This is the record of the citizens of 
Penacook during the war for the pres- 
ervation of the Federal Union. Be- 
tween 1861 and 1865 two hundred 
and twelve men left our peaceful 
community, serving in almost every 
organization that left the state, in 
the regular army, navy, and marine 
corps, and in several other state or- 
ganizations. Of that number, fifty- 
four never came back, being killed in 
action, or dying of wounds or disease. 
The average loss from the state dur- 
ing the war was a fraction less than 
one in seven ; from Penacook a frac- 
tion over one in four, or nearly dou- 
ble that of the loss from the state. 
The blood of Penacook men has 
moistened the ground on the great 



battlefields of the war in which the 
Army of the Potomac participated, 
as well as at Wagner, Olustee, Port 
Hudson, and Vicksburg. No charge 
of desertion, or of the commission of 
an unmanly act, is on record against 
one of the number. Every one either 
died the death of a soldier, or received 
an honorable discharge. We have 
especial reason, then, to-day, to be 
thankful to God that in the hour of 
its trial our beloved country found 
in Penacook men some of its truest, 
bravest defenders — men whose death 
proved their manliness, and whose 
daily lives while in the service their 
honor. With such a record as this, 
we ought to bear in grateful remem- 
brance the memories of those who 
lost their lives during the struggle, 
and never forget the debt due the 
volunteers of the civil war for giving 
us a free, united government, under 
which it is possible for all to acquire 
an honorable livelihood, protected by 
the flag their bravery saved from dis- 
honor. 



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